RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) junior linebacker Jaiden Haygood was recognized Monday as the Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week. 
 
Haygood had a record-setting performance to help lift the UTRGV Vaqueros to their first-ever overtime win and first road win of the season Oct. 24 at Central Arkansas. He recorded 20 tackles, which is the second-most tackles in a game of any FCS player this season, the most for any Southland Conference (SLC) player in a game this season, and a single-game program record. He had 10 solo tackles, which is also a program and career high. 
 
Haygood played a complete game, making great reads to blow up plays early, putting pressure on the quarterback, and covering the field. He finished with two tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and one quarterback hurry in an outstanding effort. 
 
Haygood sits atop the SLC rankings, along with teammate Spencer Rich, averaging a conference-high 10.0 tackles/game, which ranks 10^th in FCS. Haygood leads the team and is second in the Southland with 37 solo tackles. 
 
This is Haygood's first national recognition and second defensive player of the week award this season. 

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